What Captures Your Heart?
The summer sun rises over the Ozark hills near Table Rock, with the beautiful morning hue over the tops of these hills, a quiet reminder of a Creator who moves and acts. Yet, in the rush of work deadlines, ministry responsibilities, or scrolling through various social media feeds, it is easy to lose sight of what truly matters. Psalm 115:3–8 speaks to this tension, contrasting the living God, who reigns in heaven, with lifeless idols that capture our hearts but leave us empty. Here, the psalmist challenges each of us to ask, What captures or rules my heart, and does it lead me to life or hopelessness?
The Comparison of the God in Heaven to Other Gods
This psalm opens comparing our God in heaven with the multitude of other gods in the world, and sadly, often in our lives. The passage begins with the declaration, “But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases” (Psalm 115:3). This bold statement implies that God is alive, active, and providentially engaged in life around us. Unlike human-made gods, the Lord is sovereign, unbound by any limitations, who acts with purpose and power. His character is covenantally faithful—kind, loving, and merciful not only in His nature but in His actions toward those who know Him. This God, who formed the world, including these beautiful Ozark mountains, breathes life into every season and deserves glory for all things. He is not a distant force but a living God who remains steadfast, extending mercy to those who seek Him.
In stark contrast, verses 4–8 paint a vivid picture of idols:
Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak; eyes, but they do not see; ears, but they do not hear; noses, but they do not smell; they have hands, but they do not handle; feet, but they do not walk; nor do they mutter through their throats. Those who make them are like them; so is everyone who trusts in them (Psalm 115:4–8).
These verses mock the futility of idols—man-made objects crafted to resemble living deities but utterly powerless. The artistry purposefully highlights what is living; yet it is totally dead. When this text was written in ancient Israel, these were statues of Baal or Dagon; however, the principle applies today. Today, we do not craft this type of idol, or at least most do not. Our idols look different. An idol is anything or anyone that captures our hearts, minds, or affections more than God Himself. What might this look like in our lives? An idol can be a desire, emotion, or ambition that takes center stage—perhaps the pursuit of wealth, the approval of others, for someone to respect your opinion, to be noticed, or even the perfect summer family vacation. It might be the pride of self, where personal achievements or control become the ultimate aim.
Serving these idols have many different looks. For some, consider the hours spent chasing a promotion, curating an online persona, or dwelling on discontentment when plans falter. Each of these are modern idols, crafted not with silver and gold but with time, energy, and affection. They promise satisfaction but, like the statues in Psalm 115, have no life to give. They cannot speak wisdom, see our struggles, or act on our behalf. Worse, as verse 8 warns, those who trust in idols become like them—helpless, hopeless, and spiritually stagnant.
Personal Steps Forward
This truth invites reflection. What captures your heart? Perhaps it is the anxiety of an uncertain future, the lure of material comfort, or the weight of unmet expectations. These idols, though intangible, hold functional control over our thoughts and actions, pulling us from the God who offers true hope. Often, I have seen how discontentment—whether in relationships, finances, or unfulfilled dreams (really, anything)—helps reveal what rules the heart.
When we serve these idols, we live for something less than the glory of the living God, who alone is worthy.
The call of Psalm 115 is clear: trust God and bless Him now, while there is time, rather than wasting life on lifeless pursuits. This begins with Jesus, the One who reveals God’s covenant faithfulness. His life, death, and resurrection demonstrate God’s love and mercy, inviting us into a relationship where we can trust Him fully.
How, then, should we live? Start by examining your heart. What drives your decisions? On your best days, to whom do you give credit—yourself, your hard work, or God? On difficult days, where does discontentment point you? If you find yourself restless over a failed plan or consumed by a desire for more, it may signal an idol’s grip. Let these feelings help move you toward your next step.
Take a walk through your neighborhood or sit quietly in your backyard, and ask: What has functional control over my heart? Is it God, who acts in heaven and earth, or something man-made that cannot deliver?
Practical steps can help.
Identify one “idol” this week—perhaps worry about finances or the need for others’ approval. Replace it with an act of trust: read a psalm, pray a simple prayer, thank God for His creation as you watch it around you, or all of the above.
Reflect on your actions—Who or what do you serve daily? If it is not God, consider what small step might shift your heart toward Him. The stakes are high in every way we measure them. Trusting idols leaves us empty and lifeless; whereas, trusting the living God brings hope and purpose. He is faithful, as He has always been, and His mercy endures.
Psalm 115 reminds us that life is fleeting. Do not waste it on what cannot speak, see, or save. Instead, join the psalmist in saying, “We will bless the Lord from this time forth and forevermore” (Psalm 115:18).
Questions to Help with Your Insight:
What desire, emotion, or ambition captures your heart more than God?
Where do you see discontentment in your life, and what idol might it reveal?
What is one step you can take this week to trust the living God over a lifeless idol?
This article was originally posted on KevinCarson.com.